Crime & Safety

Arson Fire Damages Vacant House

Fire apparently originated in basement and burned a hole through the floor on the main level of the house on Cardinal Lake Circle in Duluth. Fire investigators have determined fire was deliberately set.

Updated 6:02 a.m.:

Gwinnett County Fire investigators have determined arson to be the cause of an overnight fire at a vacant house in the 2700 block of Cardinal Lake Circle in Duluth, according to Gwinnett Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge in an updated media release.

The blaze was reported to 911 by a neighbor shortly after 2 a.m. Firefighters found active fire in the basement, with flames burning a hole through the floor on the main-level. No one was at the house when fire crews arrived, and no injuries were reported.

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"This is now an active arson case," said Rutledge. Fire investigators are not releasing specifics about the fire or the investigation, but did say that someone intentionally set the blaze. 

Arson is considered a serious felony crime and is punishable by  one to 20 years behind bars. Anyone with information should contact the Gwinnett Fire Investigations Section at 678.518.4890.

Georgia Arson Control Inc. offers a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for arson.  Contact the Georgia Arson Control Hot Line at 1.800.282.5804.

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Gwinnett firefighters put out a fire in a vacant house in the 2700 block of Cardinal Lake Circle early Monday morning.

Responding to a report from a neighbor at 2:12 a.m., fire crews arrived at the house at 2:21 a.m. Crews found flames showing from the basement of a vacant two-story wood frame house on arrival, Gwinnett Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge reported in a media release.

Firefighters immediately entered the basement and aggressively attacked the flames. The fire appears to have originated in the basement and burned a hole through the floor on the main level of the house, Rutledge said. The fire was knocked down at 2:33 a.m.

The home is reportedly vacant and was not being lived in at the time, according to Rutledge. Firefighters are attempting to make contact with the property owner. The exact cause of the fire is currently undetermined and is being  investigated by the fire department.


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